John Le Carre

[Tail End Charlie]

What a superb writer. One of my favourite books (and film for that matter) The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. I'll 're read his books again now, what a treat in store.

 

[delb0y]

Indeed. Don't think I've ever read a poor book by him. Love the way he found ways to keep his style of thriller alive after the cold war ended.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

One of my favourite scenes in one of his books (I can't remember which) was when Smiley and a member of the establishment are talking about someone being a spy, the establishment member says something like "you can't say that about him, he's a good egg, does lots for charity, been to Eton, Oxford, plays golf, does voluntary work. In my world that means he's a good sort!"
Smiley says "and in my world they call that cover".
Brilliant.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Nothing was as good as the BBC adaption of Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy with Alec Guinness. Alright Hywel Bennett's Australian accent was the worst I've ever heard. And

 

[MichaelW2]

JLC invented so much of the spy jargon that spys adopted, inc Mole and Honey Trap.

 

[Dirk]

His real name was David Cornwell and he lived opposite my neighbour's late father in St. Buryan in Cornwall.

 

[Archie_tect]

John Le Carre loved prunes which is why we all recited, "Tinker- Tailor Soldier-Sailor, Rich man-Poor man, Beggar man- thief, engine driver- Indian chief " at school after finishing seconds of rice pudding with prunes- most stones won.

 

[Rocky]

My favourite author. I loved George Smiley - a flawed but decent man. I feel sad I won't again get to read a new Le Carre novel.

 

[Dave7]

I must be the odd one out. I tried 2 of his books but gave up, just couldn't get into them.
Maybe I should try again.
Which is the "easiest" most interesting one to try ?

 

[Blue Hills]

I must be the odd one out. I tried 2 of his books but gave up, just couldn't get into them.
Maybe I should try again.
Which is the "easiest" most interesting one to try ?

I think he's an excellent and humane writer, but agree that he can be difficult - which makes it all the more remarkable/interesting that he was looked down on by a fair few folk for quite a while.
I don't think I ever really fully understood Tinker Tailor - book or film - must have a too innocent mind - I'd be a crap spy.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

I must be the odd one out. I tried 2 of his books but gave up, just couldn't get into them.
Maybe I should try again.
Which is the "easiest" most interesting one to try ?

I'd try The Spy Who Came in From The Cold. Then Call For The Dead.

 

[Dayvo]

My favourite author. I loved George Smiley - a flawed but decent man. I feel sad I won't again get to read a new Le Carre novel.

I understand your pain. I enjoyed his books (the ones I’ve read) a great deal.

But could I suggest an alternative? Slightly different genré but equally enthralling is Philip Kerr’s series following a German police officer before, during and after the 2nd WW.

IMO, Bernie Gunther is the best character in contempory literature at present.

http://philipkerr.org/hello-from-philips-wife-jane/

 

[Archie_tect]

I'd be a crap spy.

...but a good spy would say that.

 

[matticus]

The recent film of Tinker .... was fantastic.
I read the book shortly before, and it's no page-turner but I did find it enthralling. Faster paced than the first Dragon Tattoo book!
(Must find the time to watch the TV version some day.)

I read one of his modern era and it was poor - nothing of note seemed to happen, and it took a long time over it.

William Boyd is a big fan - I loved his spy novel. A slightly pacier read.

 

[Blue Hills]

For fans around during the day Sky Arts, Freeview 11, is showing Melvyn Braggs reprise/potted highlights south bank show interview with Le Carre at 3pm today.